Police appeal after wilful fire raising in Dalmuir

Police are appealing for information following a fire at a former care home in West Dunbartonshire.

Homes were evacuated as firefighters tackled the blaze in Dalmuir on Saturday night but no-one was hurt in the incident.

Police Scotland are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious to get in touch.

Emergency crews were on the scene at Ottawa Crescent within minutes of the alarm being raised at 21:36.

Nearby Clydemuir Primary School opened as an evacuation centre.

Det Con Colin Nichol said: "Fortunately no one was injured but this was an extensive fire and resulted in people being evacuated from their homes and a number of roads being closed for a considerable time.

"A joint Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service investigation is under way and I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious both before and after the fire started to get in touch.

"In addition, anyone who has dash-cam or private CCTV footage that could assist with our inquiries is asked to make contact with officers."

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battled flames at a former care home

Martin Rooney, leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, said that the major fire could have devastated the homes and lives of nearby residents.

On Monday he praised emergency workers and local authority staff for their response to the blaze.

"This was a major fire and, had it not been for the swift actions of emergency services, could have devastated the homes and lives of the residents whose properties are in close proximity to the site," he said.

Mr Ronney said the fire was a "shining example" of council staff going "above and beyond" for residents in West Dunbartonshire.

The council leader said: "The Neighbourhood Team were on site within minutes and played a key role in keeping residents updated and supporting Police.

"We had staff there until the early hours of the morning and back on site again on Sunday to offer support.

Council staff and Police Scotland evacuated nearby homes.

The site of the fire - a former HSCP care home, Frank Downie House - was vacated 19 months ago and recently sold to a developer.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Operations Control mobilised six appliances to the scene to extinguish the fire.

"Crews remained in attendance until the evening of 7 August as they worked to make the area safe.

"There were no reported casualties."